Bimal Oberoi's Long-Awaited Spotlight After 'Dhurandhar' Success
After nearly three decades of relentless hustle and continuous reinvention, actor-producer-writer Bimal Oberoi is finally basking in the limelight. The Delhi-born artist, best known for his role as Shirani, the leader of Baloch, in the spy thriller "Dhurandhar", credits this two-part film for catapulting him into widespread recognition. Oberoi's journey, marked by supporting roles and behind-the-scenes work, has culminated in what he describes as a "blessing" from the blockbuster.
From Small Role to Major Impact
In Aditya Dhar's "Dhurandhar", Oberoi played a small yet pivotal character, with his performance resonating deeply with audiences. The first part released in December 2025, followed by the second installment on March 19, which has already amassed over Rs 1,500 crore at the global box office. "What 'Dhurandhar' has done for other actors and me is what one comes here for: recognition. It has been like a blessing," Oberoi told PTI in an interview.
The film follows Ranveer Singh's character, Hamza Ali Mazari, an undercover Indian agent on a dangerous mission in Karachi. Oberoi's Shirani has become a social media sensation, with memes dubbing him the "Blinkit of Balochistan" due to his character's lightning-fast delivery of weapons and intel. "I'm overwhelmed," the actor said, praising Dhar for "beautifully" crafting his role, which he shot in just 10 to 13 days.
A Career of Diverse Roles and Reinvention
Before "Dhurandhar", the 54-year-old Oberoi appeared in supporting roles in films and OTT shows like "Tiger 3", "Panipat", "Bard of Blood", and "Mukhbir: The Story of a Spy". His career began in the early 90s when he met singer Daler Mehndi in Amritsar, who helped him debut in the entertainment industry with the album "Ho Jayegi Balle Balle". Mehndi provided financial support and shelter, a gesture Oberoi remains grateful for.
Oberoi later transitioned to television, featuring in shows like Ekta Kapoor's "Itihaas", Anurag Basu's "Love Story", and Anubhav Sinha's "Saturday Suspense". However, he eventually moved into writing, production, and ad films, working as an executive producer on movies such as "Tum Bin", "Singh is Kinng", and "Ferrari Ki Sawari". He also wrote the Marathi film "April May 99", released last year.
"I wanted to explore other things because in this industry, there is a lot of time at your disposal. At some point, I wanted to get back to acting, but then it took a backseat for about 17-18 years," Oberoi explained. The turning point came in 2018 when filmmaker Ashutosh Gowariker encouraged him to return to acting and cast him in "Panipat".
Auditioning for 'Dhurandhar' and Future Projects
Through casting director Mukesh Chhabra, Oberoi auditioned multiple times for "Dhurandhar", agreeing to grow a long beard and shave his hair for the role. "I was told about the character but once I was finalised, I was briefed about the script. I realised that this character needs a lot of quiet and silent moments, so I was just being myself," he recalled.
His performance caught the attention of filmmaker Prashant Neel, who approached him for the upcoming film "Dragon", starring Jr NTR. "He told me I was looking for this kind of a character for my film for quite some time, and while I was watching 'Dhurandhar', I saw you and felt, 'He's my man'," Oberoi shared. He will also appear next in David Dhawan's "Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai".
Continuous Self-Investment and Creativity
Oberoi's journey is defined by his commitment to reinvention. He writes scripts daily and is preparing to release a music video featuring his own poetry. "I kept reinventing and working on myself. There was not a day when I was not working, maybe I was not getting paid, but the investments, which I made on myself, like doing theatre and workshops," he said.
Reflecting on his career, Oberoi emphasized the importance of persistence and adaptability in the entertainment industry. His story serves as an inspiration for aspiring artists, proving that dedication and versatility can eventually lead to breakthrough moments, even after decades of hard work.
